PHO needs two new trustees

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The Marlborough Primary Health Organisation is calling for nominations for new board trustees as two existing members complete their terms.

The organisation is looking for two new representatives - one from the community and one from a general practice - to start at next month's board meeting.

Chief executive Beth Tester said the successful applicants would help shape the region's health strategy and ensure the board acted in an open and transparent manner.

Appointment to the 10-member board was for three years with the option of a second consecutive term, Ms Tester said.

Each trustee was paid $300 per monthly meeting, she said.

The board consists of three community representatives, three GP representatives and three iwi representatives from both the community and iwi health providers.

"With the interest in health, I expect quite a few applicants," Ms Tester said. "I'm very keen for people to put their names forward."

A community representative could be nominated by an individual or group, she said. Letters had been sent to every doctor in Marlborough asking for nominations, she said.

Springlands Health GP Grant Johnston decided to leave the board after one term so a new doctor could add their perspective to meetings.

"I think a bit of new blood is a good thing," Dr Johnston said.

Ideally there would be two doctors and a practice nurse on the board, all from different clinics, he said.

Applicants should be prepared to be a spokesman for the community, he said.

"It's a good job. You don't need to know what it's like to be on a board and the community representative just needs to be part of the community.

"As time goes on, you learn more about governance and management."

Setting up the Wairau Community Clinic, managed by the PHO, and Pacific Island healthcare programmes were highlights of the past three years, Dr Johnston said.

The organisation could feel proud of Blenheim's new clinic at Wairau Hospital, he said. "That has vastly improved primary healthcare in Marlborough. It means every patient in Marlborough can be registered with a GP. The Pacific Island initiative helped them better integrate into society."